Our cast of characters includes Travis, a young man with anger issues, and a learning disability who is living with a recovering alcoholic grandfather Mr. She also captures how that frustration can lead to physical outbursts as it often seems like the only outlet available. She captures the sense of being an outsider at school and the embarrassment of going out to special education classes. Schmatz does an amazing job of capturing the feelings, emotions and immense frustration of having a learning disability and being different from other people. As someone who grew up with a learning disability, a dual form of dyslexia, reading this book was much like reliving some of my own childhood. Also when it ends, you don't notice it, and it seems like there are a few more chapters that were just cut out.įew books have as immediate an impact on me as this book. I give this book 3 out of 5 stars, for while it's funny, it tries to appeal to everybody, making it a little weird. I would say probably it's in the age range of 12-16. Also, this book talks about death and fighting, but some humor is for a younger audience. This book's humor is more for older kids, since jokes about sex and prostitution are common. Another good part was when Travis learns the truth about what happened. One of the best parts of the book was the 'Velveeta on _day' sections because I liked the other views of the story and additional character development. If you want to laugh and cry in one big story, this is for you. Kids will probably like this book for it's funny and is a good story at times.

He also meets Bradley, a scrawny kid who is nerdy, is addicted to 'Halo', and insists that Travis should ask Velveeta out. unique and has a drunk mother, a old dead man who used to be her best friend, and many, many, scarves. While there, he meets Velveeta, a girl who is very. 'Bluefish' is about a boy named Travis who moves to a new town with his Grandpa after his dog runs away.

Bluefish by Pat Schmatz